Stages of Breast Milk: From Colostrum to Mature Milk

The stages of breast milk are essential to understanding how mothers’ bodies provide optimal nutrition for newborns and infants. Breast milk production progresses through three stages: colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk. Each stage serves a unique purpose, adapting to meet a baby’s changing nutritional needs as they grow. From the nutrient-rich colostrum at birth to the fully developed mature milk, these stages help build a foundation for a baby’s growth, immunity, and development. This guide explores each stage in detail, highlighting how breast milk naturally evolves to support a baby’s health.

What are the Different Types of Breast Milk?

Breast milk plays an integral part in one's child's growth and development. It changes in composition through the course of the baby’s growth to meet their growing needs. There are three main types of breast milk: Colostrum, Transitional Milk, and Mature Milk. Each of these provides specific benefits and nutrients tailored to the stages of a baby's life, from early immune support to essential fats and proteins for growth. Understanding these types of breast milk helps parents better appreciate the important wonders of breast milk for their child’s life. The following are the breast milk types:

Colostrum

Colostrum is the first form of milk that comes out from mothers' breasts after childbirth. It is a thick yellowish-white milk that is so rich in nutrients that experts call it “pre-milk” or “liquid gold.” Colostrum comes out at 36 weeks of gestation, and you can start collecting it if you are already leaking. To effectively collect your colostrum you can use Momcozy Colostrum Collector. Say no to using syringes in the colostrum collection; this colostrum collector is easy to use, with a 5ml capacity, easy to clean, and reusable.

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Transitional Milk

The milk produced by a mother after the initial release of colostrum and before the production of mature milk is called “ Transitional Milk.” Transitional milk is a bluish-white milk that is nourishing and rich in nutrients and antibodies, which are vital bridges to mature milk. Transitional milk comes 2-5 days after delivery. It contains higher levels of fat, lactose, and water-soluble vitamins.

Mature Milk

The breast milk produced after the first two weeks of breastfeeding is the primary milk, called “Mature Milk,” which nourishes the baby for the duration of breastfeeding. It is produced 10-15 days after childbirth. Mature milk is 90% water, and 10% is made up of proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, minerals, and antibodies.

What is Foremilk and Hindmilk?

Foremilk and Hindmilk are two types of milk produced during nursing sessions, each serving a specific purpose for a baby’s nutrition.

Foremilk - Foremilk is the first milk that the baby drinks at the earlier part of feeding. It is usually thinner in consistency and a little bluish. Foremilk contains more lactose and less fat than hindmilk.

Hindmilk - Hindmilk is the last milk that the baby drinks during feeding. It is usually yellowish in color, thicker in consistency, and creamier in taste. Hindmilk contains more fat than foremilk.

How Breast Milk is Produced?

Breast milk is produced through the process called “ Lactation.” Lactation begins in pregnancy when the hormones change, which signals the milk-making glands called “Mammary Glands” in preparation for the baby on the way. Here is a simplified explanation of how it occurs:

Hormonal Preparation- During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone hormones begin preparing the mammary glands. After delivery, the decrease in these hormones allows prolactin, which is the milk-producing hormone, to be expressed.
Prolactin and Milk Production- Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates the milk production cells of the alveoli clusters of milk-producing cells in the breasts to produce milk. The prolactin levels increase after each feeding to encourage continuous production of milk.
Oxytocin and Letdown Reflex- The action of nursing engages the oxytocin, which causes the muscles around the alveoli to contract. This action pushes milk from the milk duct toward the nipple, allowing milk to flow to the baby. This process is known as the letdown reflex.
Supply and Demand - The production of breast milk depends on supply and demand. If a baby nurses regularly, then the baby's body is stimulated to increase milk production. Perpetual nursing or pumping means that there is consistent milk supply, but infrequent feeding can lead to a drop in milk supply.

What are the Stages of Breastfeeding?

During every feeding session, your body naturally goes through two different phases: let down and expression. Understanding each phase can help ensure that your baby is getting enough milk.

Phase 1: Let Down

Once your baby latches onto your breast, they will start sucking vigorously. This fast sucking will stimulate the nerves in your breasts that send a message to release a hormone called oxytocin. The release of oxytocin will cause the small muscles surrounding your milk-producing tissue to contract. Such contracting of the tissue squeezes milk into your ducts. The process of letdown normally takes two minutes.

Milk lets down When your milk lets down you can feel a small amount of pain or tingling in the top of your breasts. Many moms would liken it to "pins and needles." You may also see lumps in the skin around your areola. This is milk that has built up in the ducts.

Milk letdown can also be triggered if your brain is mentally stimulated. The crying of a baby can cause this, like seeing the picture of your little one or even the smell of something belonging to your baby's clothing. Relaxing and thinking of your baby signals the release of oxytocin which will make your milk let down.

Phase 2: Expression

As soon as your milk has let down, you will enter the expression phase of your breastfeeding session. During expression, your baby's sucking will slow, and you'll begin to hear him swallow the milk. When your baby is full, their sucking will continue to slow down. Your baby will naturally begin sucking in a rhythm of "suck, pause, swallow" as the milk is expressed and they start to be full.

Now, when your breast is emptied, your baby may even drift off or fully disengage from the breast. Take some time to burp the baby and then switch sides and repeat the process.

Your body makes milk based on supply and demand. Your baby must stay at the breast during letdown as well as when you're expressing in order to drain as much as possible from your breast. This will then send a signal to your body that it should keep making more.

Tips for Moms who Pump

Pumping your breast milk can literally be a lifesaver for any mom who needs to be away from her baby, go back to work, or just needs to stock up her milk stash. However, pumping also comes with its side challenges. Here are some helpful tips for pumping moms to make the process more efficient and stress-free:

Create a schedule. Have a pumping schedule when your baby would normally feed at home to avoid engorgement and leaking.
Massage your breasts. You can increase your milk flow by massaging the breasts before pumping. Massaging also helps reduce skin sensitivity and gives a more comfortable pumping session.
Choose the right pump. Choosing the right pump is one of the most essential things to do. If you plan to pump at work or while out, a portable or hands-free pump may be beneficial. Momcozy M9 Breast Pump is a wearable and hands-free type of pump that fits into your bra and lets you pump discreetly on the go. It has multiple modes, you can personalize your pumping, and you can even control it in the app.
Power Pump. Power pumping involves pumping repeatedly within a set amount of time to signal your body to produce more milk.
Drain each breast completely.Completely draining at least one of your breasts is important. Draining the breast is better than making sure your baby feeds from both breasts.

FAQs

What is the 4 4 4 rule for breast milk?

The 4-4-4 rule in breast milk storage is a guideline that states that freshly expressed or pumped breast milk can be safely stored at room temperature for up to four hours, in the refrigerator for up to four days, and for four to six months in the freezer.

How do I know when my mature milk comes in?

Your milk production begins before you give birth, and it can take a few days for your milk to come in after delivery. However, many moms establish a milk supply even after a few weeks.

You can tell when your milk is coming in or transitioning from colostrum to mature milk when you notice the following:

Breast fullness - When your breasts feel firmer, heavier, warmer, and more tender. You might also experience engorgement, which makes the breasts feel hard and uncomfortable.
Milk appearance. You might notice that from thick yellowish milk (colostrum), your milk will change to a creamier, whiter, and bluish-white color.
Milk flow. The milk will leak or spray from the nipple instead of coming out in drops.
Baby's feeding. The baby will drink more milk than the usual feedings and sleep for longer periods. You might also experience a pins-and-needles sensation when your baby starts feeding.
Baby's diapers. Since the baby drinks more milk, you'll have more wet and dirty diapers.

What are the steps of lactation in order?

Lactogenesisis the process of the mammary gland developing the ability to secret milk. Lactogenesis has three stages:

Stage one: Begins around the 16th week of pregnancy, and lasts until a few days after birth.

Stage two: Starts about two or three days postpartum.

Stage three: The rest of the time you lactate.

Milk Production is when the body produces milk to replace what’s removed.

Milk Ejection is when suckling stimulates the nipple and areola, which activates the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. This causes the myoepithelial cells to contract, forcing milk into the ducts and out of the nipple.

What are the stages of the lactation cycle?

The stages of lactation correlate with changes in the composition of the milk, comprising whey proteins and lactose, adjusting to the needs of the infant's physiological changes. Hormones including prolactin, estrogen, progesterone, insulin, hydrocortisone, human placental lactogen, and human growth hormone, plays a central role in lactation.

Three stages of human lactation are as follows:

Colostrum is the first stage of breast milk, produced during pregnancy and for a few days after birth. It has higher protein content and less lactose compared to mature milk. Transitional milk, which occurs 2-5 days after birth, acts as an intermediate between colostrum and mature milk. Mature milk typically develops around 21 days after birth.

The Beauty of the Stages of Breast Milk

The stages of breast milk offer a fascinating journey through the intricate design of nature to provide optimal nutrition for infants. Beginning with the nutrient-rich colostrum and progressing to the fully developed mature milk, each stage plays a crucial role in supporting a baby’s growth, immunity, and overall development. By understanding and embracing the beauty of these stages, parents can gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible nourishment that breast milk offers, laying the foundation for a healthy and thriving start to their child's life.